Driver Training for Snowfields Access

Heavy vehicles visiting Victorian Alpine Resorts in winter can encounter challenging conditions requiring special equipment and driver training. For buses and coaches with 13 or more seats this training is mandatory under VicRoads Regulations. This applies to declared hazardous roads during the snow season, normally June to September, and is especially applicable to Mt Baw Baw, which has the steepest access road of any alpine resort in Australia.

In 2017 Mountain-Top Experience was approved by VicRoads to provide Hazardous Area Authority Bus Driver Training courses. Our expertise in this area is based on our Advanced 4WD Driver Training Courses which are widely regarded as the highest quality in Victoria, together with having operated Mt Baw Baw Transport Service from 1999 to 2022. Due to the challenging nature of the Mt Baw Baw access roads, our training is suitable preparation for any other alpine area in Australia. Our principal trainer is Dr Ron Camier who is a qualified engineer and trainer/assessor, and whose aim is to make the course as enjoyable as it is educational. One or two technical assistants help with driver supervision.

The HAA training we provide is suitable for access to all alpine resorts in Victoria other than Mt Hotham, and is deemed suitable for NSW snowfields (Kosciusko National Park between 1st June and 11th October). We have also provided suitable training for Tasmanian bus drivers. For three-axle (HR) buses, regulations introduced in 2022 now include a combination of requirements which may include winter tyres, tag-axle lift specifications, automotive engineer certificates and controlled access permits, possibly making it simpler to only use two-axle (MR) buses.

We run two-day residential courses based at a motel at Mountain Rivers Tourist Park, Rawson, at very competitive prices, with discounts for each subsequent participant on the same booking. Classroom sessions are run in the motel lounge area and up to three drivers can share a bus during the practical exercises. These courses normally are at the start of the season, and prior to school holidays, and should be particularly convenient for charter companies, school bus groups, delivery trucks from Gippsland and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Motel accommodation (single or twin share) is booked via the course booking page and it is preferable to arrive the night before the course starts. The motel has self-cater facilities for BYO breakfasts etc.

Since 2017 we have successfully trained more than 60 bus drivers, and attracted support from Regional Development Victoria as announced by Minister Jaala Pulford at a presentation at our office on 12th April 2018. Our scheduled course dates are listed on our on-line booking system, or contact our office to inquire.

Syllabus includes

  • Introduction, driver licencing and accreditation, fatigue management, resort regulations.
  • Mt Baw Baw roads, terrain hazards, village familiarisation.
  • Bus and equipment, trailers, passenger motion sickness management.
  • Chain fitting, usage.
  • Snowbound road ascent techniques, traffic negotiation.
  • Snowbound road descent techniques, accident avoidance, skid recovery.
  • Black ice.
  • Alpine parking.
  • After-trip cleaning.
  • Written and practical testing.

Presentation format involves

  • Motel classroom slide show, discussion and stories, vehicle/chain and equipment familiarisation, lunch at Rawson.
  • Drive South Face road/radio commentary, entry ascent/descent, practice chain fitting/snow driving, optional dinner at local pub and cafe lunches, Canadian and Alaskan ice road video critiques.
  • Pre-checks, drive Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road/radio commentary, entry ascent/descent, lunch at Mt Baw Baw Village.
  • Written knowledge test, drive South Face road, entry ascent/descent, timed chain fitting.
  • Practical and written results discussion, certificates. Further testing if necessary.

Mandatory participant requirements

  • Own coach or bus (with maximum three trainee drivers per vehicle)
  • Driver: Heavy vehicle licence (VicRoads), Driver Accreditation Certificate (Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria), National Driver Work Diary.
  • Driver equipment: head-torch, pen, warm/waterproof clothing, nitrile gloves.
  • Bus equipment: plastic sheet/small tarp, UHF radio, chains (diamond pattern), wheel chocks, front recovery point, safety reflective triangles. pre-start check-list.

Optional participant requirements

  • Tyre pressure gauge, anti-freeze in radiator, ramp blocks to raise inside dual wheels. Second set of chains (for extreme snow days at Mt Baw Baw two pairs of wheel chains are recommended).

Normally courses are scheduled between the start of the snow season and the July school holidays. Other dates may be added if required, so contact us if you are interested. All 2024 courses are now completed and 2025 dates will be scheduled about 6 months in advance (early booking is recommended, as many drivers missed out this year).

Book on-line Here:

(When booking please ensure that all participants receive a copy of the Requirements lists.)

Location:

Mountain Rivers Tourist Park

11 Depot Road, Rawson Vic, 3825